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ICTs and development: A capability perspective of Nigeria's experience with the National Identity Project
This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.This study is about the impact of information and communications technologies (ICT) in developing countries, in light of development expectations in healthcare, education, commerce, government services, and other activities that can improve the lives of citizens. However, the deployment of these ICTs have not always resulted in the anticipated ends i.e. development outcomes. Also, expectations and deployment experiences vary amongst developing countries - indicating a need to understand what is locally relevant, meaningful and achievable within development initiatives. These ideas are explored within this study, with intent to contribute to a better understanding of the dynamics of ICTs and Development. The study is particularly concerned with the current efforts at deploying a National Identity system in Nigeria, in light of failed attempts over the past 34 years. This is an essential initiative due to the lack of a secure, reliable, or cost effective system of identification within the country (e.g. international passports and driversā licenses). The case is explored using Senās Capability Approach (CA) to development, which advocates the expansion of peopleās freedoms (and opportunities) to engage in valued activities that improve lives. The unique application of the CA for a comprehensive study of the deployment and outcomes of the National Identity system constitutes a theoretical contribution (amongst others) to research - in light of previous applications which only evaluate the latter. Also, the findings reveal deep seated socio-cultural issues (such as corruption and tribalism) as sources of commonly reported technical and managerial problems within IS projects. These offer useful insights and advice for both policy makers and practitioners involved with the ICTs and Development agenda.This study was funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, and the Department of Information Systems and Computing at Brunel University
ICTs AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: A CAPABILITY PERSPECTIVE
Much research on developing countries highlights the developmental potential associated with ICTs as a rationale for implementing particular information systems. However, such initiatives are often problematic to realize and difficult to sustain. In this paper we examine the promise of development associated with the introduction of an Electronic Votersā Registration (EVR) system in Nigeria. We employ key concepts from Senās capability approach to assess the arrangements made by the Nigerian government and its Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enable participation in registration and polling exercises, focusing on the scope these opportunities provided for expanding peopleās freedoms to engage in developmental activities. Our analysis shows that the arrangements were sufficient to encourage significant voter turnout but inadequate to sustain developmental potential. We conclude with some implications for policy makers advancing an agenda of āICTs for developmentā